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enKwara South PDP Senator Rafiu Ibrahim Arrested Hours Before Electionhttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/kwara-south-pdp-senator-rafiu-ibrahim-arrested-hours-election
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<p>Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, the member representing Kwara South senatorial district at the National Assembly, has been arrested by the Police.</p>
<p>Ibrahim, who is seeking a second term in office, was arrested by the Kwara State Police Command on Thursday.</p>
<p>The Senator's arrest is coming less than 24 hours to the rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections.</p>
<p>SaharaReporters learnt that Ibrahim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was invited for questioning after the attack on Lola Ashiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojoku, Oyun Local Government Area of the state.</p>
<p>Aides to the senator confirmed his arrest on Friday.</p>
<p>One of the aides identified as Jimoh told SaharaReporters claimed that Ibrahim's arrest was a grand plot by the APC to keep him out of the reach of his supporters on election day.</p>
<p>"The Senator (Ibrahim) has been detained since Thursday inside the Kwara State Police Command.&nbsp;We are sure it was due to the clash between APC and PDP supporters in Ojoku when Lola Ashiru, the APC candidate, took his campaign to the town at night and was attacked, while some people died.</p>
<p>"The members of APC are alleging that it was Senator Ibrahim that was involved but what we know is that his arrest is just an attempt to keep him out of reach on the day of election.&nbsp;We see it as a clampdown on our political leaders, being a candidate. It’s against the Electoral Act that no candidate should be arrested 48 hours to the election.”</p>
<p>Ajayi Okansanmi, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the arrest of the senator.</p>
<p>Okansanmi, however, said Ibrahim was invited for questioning over the attack on some supporters in his country home of Ojoku.</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 12:13:29 +0000siteadmin67353 at http://saharareporters.comFormer PDP Presidential Aspirant Defects To APC, Promises Buhari '10 To 15 Million' Voteshttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/former-pdp-presidential-aspirant-defects-apc-promises-buhari-10-15-million-votes
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<p>Stanley Osifo, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a promise to move his support base of "10 to 15million Nigerians" along.</p>
<p>He made his decision known at a press conference held at Virtual Hub, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.</p>
<p>Osifo said his defect was triggered by the way he was treated during the PDP presidential primary, noting that there was no form of settlement by his former party.</p>
<p>Speaking on his choice of APC, he said: “My structure base is across the 36 states in Nigeria, and we are very sure and optimistic that not less than 10 to 15 million Nigerians, particularly those within the strata of young people, are going to move to APC."</p>
<p>He also spoke on the postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).</p>
<p>“Actually from INEC you’ll see that not everybody was happy with what happened. I want to believe INEC will perform well because they have assured us of 100 per cent credibility,” he said.</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:30:43 +0000siteadmin67352 at http://saharareporters.comWe Warned el-Rufai Against Quoting Wrong Figures On Kajuru Killing, Says Kaduna CPhttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/we-warned-el-rufai-against-quoting-wrong-figures-kajuru-killing-says-kaduna-cp
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<p>Ahmad Abdulrahman, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, has faulted Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, for giving out wrong figures of the death toll in the attack at Kajuru Local Government Area.</p>
<p>At a press briefing on Thursday, Ahmad warned the governor against citing any figure until an investigation has been concluded to ascertain the number of those killed.</p>
<p>The settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.</p>
<p>The Commissioner of Police, stated that the Police were unaware of the attack “until when the Fulani themselves came out to tell us after we have secured the place in conjunction with the military, that they approached to accompany them to their hamlet in order to bury their dead relations.”</p>
<p>He continued: “I told the governor that figures in a crisis of this magnitude should be left until all investigations have been concluded and all the areas where we are getting information from are covered.</p>
<p>“You cannot come up with a figure otherwise you will quote a particular figure now and quote another later.</p>
<p>“This is what is happening now. As far as the police are concerned, we are investigating and the investigation is still in the embryonic stage, until the time we covered all the areas, we cannot quote any figure.</p>
<p>“The crisis occurred in a terrain that was full of hamlets, which were difficult to assess with our vehicles. We are still uncovering areas where nobody had visited. We are now at the stage of crisis management, which is very delicate.</p>
<p>“That is why nobody should stampede our investigation. If the governor tells you that the casualty figure is 200, he is just quoting figures.</p>
<p>“It could be more than that or less than that. For example, the place where 36 people were said to have been buried, was not at the purview of the security agencies at the commencement of the investigation.</p>
<p>“There was a mix-up in the assertion by the Fulani that the policemen took pictures of the corpses they buried one after another."</p>
<p>CP Ahmad added that the military had to visit the place the bodies were buried aforehand due to the difficult terrain of the place.</p>
<p>“That very hamlet where they talked about burying 37 corpses was discovered by the military.</p>
<p>“The terrain was very terrible and we could not even identify areas affected by the crisis between February 10 and 11 when it started. So, no policeman went ahead of the military.</p>
<p>“It was the military that went there first to assist the native Fulani that were affected and help them bury their dead relatives."</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:58:43 +0000siteadmin67349 at http://saharareporters.comAPC Candidates Will Participate In Elections In Rivers, Tonye Cole Insistshttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/apc-candidates-will-participate-elections-rivers-tonye-cole-insists
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<p>Tonye Cole, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has insisted that his party will participate in the forthcoming elections in the state.</p>
<p>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had barres APC candidates in Rivers from participating in the elections, in line with a Supreme Court judgment on the matter relating to the conduct of primaries in the state.</p>
<p>Members of the party have protested their exclusion from the elections. However, the commission insists its actions are in line with the court judgment.</p>
<p>In a statement issued on Thursday, Cole urged APC supporters in the state to prepare to participate in the elections.</p>
<p>The statement read: "I want to start by telling our supporters in APC and around the state that not only will we participate in the elections, we will win them. It is better to be prepared, than for the opportunity to come and we are not prepared. The opportunity is coming. Be prepared.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I have been reliably informed that the truth about the actual legal position has now been made clear at the highest levels in INEC. We expect the right thing will be now be done to avoid excluding the APC, because failure to do so will mean the election into the National Assembly seats scheduled to hold on Saturday will have to be repeated.</p>
<p>"Two options exist for INEC if they want to be on the right side of the law. The first is to put our logo on the ballot. Failing that, they are left with only one other option. That will be to postpone the elections for National Assembly and hold it at a later date. If either option is not exercised, the appropriate legal actions will be activated."</p>
<p>He went on to list the points of the party's legal position as follows:</p>
<p>"1. INEC accepted the APC list of candidates in spite of the Justice Nworgu high court judgement asking them not to, because they were not a party to it.</p>
<p>"2. PDP and Magnus Abe in recognizing this went to Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court to enforce the Justice Nworgu judgement and this time made INEC a party.</p>
<p>"3. It was on that basis INEC enforced the Omotosho judgements and removed APC from the ballot as directed.</p>
<p>"4. Both Omotosho judgements have since been stayed by the court of appeal. A further appeal to the Supreme Court against those stays of execution has since been thrown out at the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"5. There is, therefore, no reason to continue to leave APC Rivers off the ballot. All other appeals as it relates to other matters are products of Justice Nworgu’s court and do not concern INEC. They are not party to them."</p>
<p>Speaking on the ruling of the Supreme Court and the further actions the party will take,&nbsp; &nbsp;he added: "Besides the Supreme Court has not given judgements, only rulings pending the substantive suit which is still at the court of appeal. It is on this basis that we know that we have the law on our side.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I would like to add that regardless of what INEC decides, whether APC is on the ballot or not this Saturday, we will not stand aside and watch the rights of the citizens stolen twice, first in the court of law where justice is being stolen and then at the polls where ample evidence now exists to show that PDP was hell bent on intimidating the electorate with extreme violence and complete rigging.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"APC as a major stakeholder in the political framework of the nation will be at every polling unit and every collation center, following every ballot box, protecting every willing voter, securing every cast vote until the true choice of the people is respected and declared.</p>
<p>"If we are robbed of our right to be chosen, we certainly will not permit the people to be robbed of their right to choose. Having the President re-elected is crucial to getting our beloved nation to the Next Level. We can not afford to be distracted from our achieving that goal."</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:52:20 +0000siteadmin67348 at http://saharareporters.comAgain, Herdsmen Kill Two In Benuehttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/again-herdsmen-kill-two-benue
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<p>Two people have been killed and houses set ablaze in an attack by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.</p>
<p>The attack happened on Wednesday, just after a previous attack that left 20&nbsp; people dead&nbsp;in Agatu community.</p>
<p>Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State, said herdsmen attacks in the state are sponsored by enemies of the state to destabilize and create fear among the electorate.</p>
<p>A statement signed by&nbsp;Terver Akase, the Governor's&nbsp;Chief Press Secretary,&nbsp;read: “The herders have been doing this; remember, the Governor had raised the alarm sometime ago that some people in the state are collaborating with enemies of Benue outside the state to unleash armed herdsmen on Benue communities to come and destabilise the state and create fear in eligible voters so that they won’t vote on election day.</p>
<p>“So, those who attack communities in Agatu and Iye are Fulani herdsmen and they did that so that all strongholds of the PDP, people will be afraid to go out in their polling units to vote so that they (APC) can have their way."</p>
<p>The Governor urged security agencies to intensify more efforts to enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise without any molestation.</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:52:06 +0000siteadmin67347 at http://saharareporters.comGunmen Open Fire On Osinbajo's Campaign Convoy In Kwarahttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/gunmen-open-fire-osinbajos-campaign-convoy-kwara
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<p>Gunmen have attacked the convoy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while he was on a door-to-door campaign in Kwara State.</p>
<p>Osinbajo was campaigning for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari at Isale-Aluko area of Ilorin on Thursday, when two men opened fire on the campaign team.</p>
<p>Osinbajo was not at the scene when the incident happened.</p>
<p>The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the attack.</p>
<p>On the other hand, PDP claimed that trouble started when the supporters of the Vice President were seen sharing money to people.</p>
<p>A statement by Rafiu Ajakaiye, media aide to Abdulrazaq Abdulrahaman, the APC governorship candidate in the state, partly read: “the Vice President was at Isale-Aluko suburb of Ilorin on a door-to-door campaign when some daredevil gunmen opened fire on his convoy, which included thousands of APC members and supporters.”</p>
<p>Ajakaye called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack, adding that the Police and all security agencies should ensure that all measures be taken to secure the safety of lives and properties of the people.</p>
<p>However, PDP cleared itself of any involvement in the attack.</p>
<p>The party, speaking through Tunde Ashaolu, Kwara State PDP Publicity Secretary, said: "Osinbajo was in Ilorin for the door-to-door campaign rally of his party, the APC and other activities of the party, when his convoy was attacked.</p>
<p>“The incident was an intra-party affair involving members of the APC, arising from the endless crisis confronting the party.</p>
<p>“It was also gathered that the money released to be shared among party supporters triggered the violence.</p>
<p>"Once again, we emphasise that the PDP has no hand in the fracas and we reject any attempt by the APC to link our party to the crisis.”</p>
<p>Kwara Police Command confirmed the attack, adding that an investigation would commence to apprehend the gunmen.</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:44:05 +0000siteadmin67345 at http://saharareporters.comFive Killed, Vehicles Burnt As PDP, APC Supporters Clash In Kanohttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/five-killed-vehicles-burnt-pdp-apc-supporters-clash-kano
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<p>Five people were killed, while others sustained injuries, when supporters of&nbsp;Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a&nbsp;former Governor, and&nbsp;Abdulmumuni Jibrin Kofa, a&nbsp;former Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation, engaged in a free-for-all in Kano.</p>
<p>Supporters of the two major political parties clashed in Kano, on Thursday.</p>
<p>It was gathered that the fight started when Kwankwaso and his entourage disrupted a prayer session held by Kofa and his supporters.</p>
<p>Aside the five killed, many sustained injuries, while vehicles and houses were set ablaze.</p>
<p>Both parties have continued to trade blame over the clash.</p>
<p>Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, blamed the attack on supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).</p>
<p>Speaking through&nbsp;Muhammad Garba,&nbsp;his Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Ganduje said: “Kwankwasiyya PDP thugs, under the watchful eyes of their leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, attacked the APC supporters. The Kwankwasiyya ruffians are in an apparent attempt to put a clog in the wheel of progress toward ensuring a free and peaceful election in the state."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Kabir Abba Yusuf, spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, claimed that Kwankwaso supporters were attacked by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while going through Kofa town.</p>
<p>He added that the PDP supporters sustained serious injuries and their campaign cars were set ablaze.<br>&nbsp;</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:40:17 +0000siteadmin67344 at http://saharareporters.comPREVIEW: Is Activist Omoyele Sowore About To Disrupt The Political Space?http://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/preview-activist-omoyele-sowore-about-disrupt-political-space
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<p>Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971 in Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. He was born and raised in a polygamous family of 16 siblings. He attended Community High School, Kiribo, Ondo State. He finished secondary school in 1985 at the age of 14.</p>
<p>Sowore was admitted into the University Of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1989 to study Geography and Planning. He graduated from the University in 1995. However, no sooner had he gotten admitted into the University than his name became a household name for his fiery activism. His involvement in anti-military demonstrations and student unionism culminated in his emergence as President of the Student Union Government. He served between 1992 and 1994. It was during his tenure as President that cultism, which had become a menace on the UNILAG campus, was fought and crushed. He was also in the vanguard of the series of protests for the restoration of the June 12 mandate to the winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>After his graduation, which took him longer than most of his mates, because of the suspension which is often the lot of genuine student activists who always go against and mobilize students to rise against the unjust and repressive laws of the school management and all manner of injustice, he was posted to Adamawa State for his one-year compulsory National Youth Service in Adamawa State Broadcasting Corporation. On the day of his passing out parade, when other corps members were raring to go to their various homes and chart a new course their lives would follow, Sowore was arrested by the Abacha-led military junta. The arrest was in connection with his vociferous anti-government campaigns, which he took beyond the confines of the UNILAG campus to his place of national service.</p>
<p>He was put in solitary confinement, chained down for months at the Nigeria Air Force detention centre guardroom. It took the intervention of a journalist — Stanley Yakubu of the Punch Newspaper, who wrote about Sowore’s detention in the northern edition of the paper — to get him released. Sowore left Nigeria for the United States of America in 1999. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University — one of the Ivy League universities in the US.</p>
<p><strong>CAREER BEFORE POLITICS</strong></p>
<p>Being a human rights and pro-democracy campaigner coupled with his love of justice and passion for investigative reporting made him found a media outfit christened SaharaReporters. The name of the organization has nothing to do with Nigeria being in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa; the organisation derived its name from its raison d’etre, which is to kick up dust by disrupting the seemingly placid but corrupt Nigerian polity. So Sowore became the publisher of SaharaReporters in 2006 and the organisation has ever since lived up to its billing. As part of its policy, SaharaReporters doesn’t not accept adverts and financial support from the Nigerian government to prevent its principles from being compromised.</p>
<p>Sowore is also a lecturer; he teaches Modern African History at the City University of New York and Post-Colonial African History at the School of Visual Arts, New York.</p>
<p><strong>POLITICAL ANTECEDENT</strong></p>
<p>Like other contestants dubbed “alternative candidates”, he has not held any political post. However, it will be uncharitable to tar him with the same brush of neophytism with these other candidates; his fruitful interventions in almost every critical struggle in chequered history of Nigeria stand him out</p>
<p>Though Sowore is not a conventional politician, he is a tested political activist. He is as constant — perhaps twice as blazing — as the northern star on the political firmament of Nigeria, with an impressive three decades of engagement and agitation for good governance as proof of his unflinching commitment to the arduous cause of bringing sanity to the polity. He knows the lay of the political territory and understands the intricacies of politics. From being a one-man reform movement and radical crusader, he has turned himself into a mobilizer and reliable rallying point — with the common touch — for cause of the downtrodden.</p>
<p><strong>STRENGTHS</strong></p>
<p>He’s daring. Sowore has the courage of his conviction. He pursues whatever cause he believes with gumption. His antecedent as a dogged crusader and intrepid fighter and ‘revolutionary’ might serve him in good stead in the forthcoming elections. He might garner a huge number of votes from the teeming youth who are disillusioned with the current system and earnestly demand a fresh breath of air on our stultifying political space. Radical activists can also find an ally in him; Sowore is that candidate that can have an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with the powerful and stare them down. Ask Adebayo Shittu, among others, and he would tell you of his ordeal. He has that dose of gut required to challenge orthodoxy and some may think this is what is needed for sanity to reign in Nigeria and give him their votes.</p>
<p>Charmed personality. Having spent a substantial part of his life in a developed country — the US — he is not parochial. He has the poise and panache befitting a leader in the 21st century and this may earn him the votes of “the diaspora” back at home to exercise their franchise and the been-tos.</p>
<p>Digital leadership. He is an advocate of digital leadership. The electorate, who want a generational and paradigm shift from the “Sai Baba” kind of leadership that is analogue, slow and exasperating to that of “Sai Bobo”, which is fast and effortlessly digital, may vote him.</p>
<p>Populist platform. Sowore is the founder and publisher of SaharaReporters, a popular media organization that practises citizen journalism. This platform blends activism with journalism and has over the years served as a bulwark for the masses against the excesses of power and the powerful. These masses, whose stories have been told and offered succour through SaharaReporters, will give him their votes.</p>
<p>Vast constituency. His proven track record of achievements as President of the Student Union at UNILAG and his uncompromised stance on good governance may earn him the votes of students of his alma mater and by extension the larger population of Nigerian students, who must have benefited at one time or the other from his intervention in education. Also, his fellow comrades and their dependants may find in him a trustworthy leader forged in the crucible of activism.</p>
<p><strong>WEAKNESSES</strong></p>
<p>A nascent party. Sowore’s party, the African Action Congress (AAC), is not a year old yet. This may affect his range of influence when compared to that of the mainstream political parties. This may be a big minus for Sowore’s ambition of becoming the President.</p>
<p>Wounded politicians fighting back. Sowore is no doubt a gadfly. Through SaharaReporters, he has done mind-boggling and stomach-turning exposé that humbled and wounded many of our politicians. Most of these corrupt politicians have suffered multiple lacerations from Sowore’s investigative lashes. He made reference to this in his interview with the Sun newspaper on July 17, 2017, when he said: “I have offended a lot of people to last a lifetime.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>Also, his insistence on suiting the crime to the punishment should he become President might not go down well with most career politicians. They will stop at nothing to prevent him from ‘taking it back’ — as the slogan of his vibrant party goes.</p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:13:52 +0000siteadmin67341 at http://saharareporters.comIN FULL: Buhari's Message To Nigerians On Eve Of Rescheduled Electionshttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/22/full-buharis-message-nigerians-eve-rescheduled-elections
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<p>President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to exercise their rights to participate actively in the rescheduled elections slated for Saturday, February 23, 2019.</p>
<p>This formed part of his remarks in a national broadcast aired on Friday morning.</p>
<p>He praised Nigerians for their patience despite the postponement and urged the electorate to feel free to come out and vote without fear of intimidation.</p>
<p>He restated the commitment of security agencies towards ensuring safety during the electoral process, just as he called on Nigerians to encourage INEC in ensuring the delivery of a credible process.</p>
<p>He also assured international election observers of a conducive environment to carry out their electoral duty.</p>
<p><em>THE FULL SPEECH</em></p>
<p><em>Dear Nigerians,</em></p>
<p><em>Finally, we have reached the eve of the rescheduled first round of this year’s general elections.</em></p>
<p><em>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Tomorrow, the polls open. Tomorrow, we affirm that Nigeria stands as a democracy and that no worldly hand can deter us from this wise and fitting path we have chosen for ourselves.</em></p>
<p><em>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;While democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain.</em></p>
<p><em>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It requires a combination of patience, tolerance, compassion, diligence, wisdom and hope. These traits exist in us the Nigerian people. Because of who we are, democracy has the chance to flourish in this land.</em></p>
<p><em>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Thus, I commend all of you for your patience and peaceful conduct so far during this electoral season and especially during this intervening week following the postponement of the February 16 elections.</em></p>
<p><em>6.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Many were worried and thought the worst might happen. You proved them wrong by showing that you are a great people with an abiding love for peace, democracy and the unity of our country.</em></p>
<p><em>7.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;According to the daily INEC public briefings given this week, the Electoral Commission says it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the election in a free, fair and transparent manner.<br>8.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it.</em></p>
<p><em>9.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We must cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this responsibility it owes to our country.</em></p>
<p><em>10.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote.</em></p>
<p><em>11.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them.</em></p>
<p><em>12.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded.</em></p>
<p><em>13.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights as citizens and voters tomorrow.</em></p>
<p><em>14.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for this nation and its people.</em></p>
<p><em>15.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p><em>16.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.</em></p>
<p><em>17.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place.</em></p>
<p><em>18.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation.</em></p>
<p><em>19.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions.</em></p>
<p><em>20.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.</em></p>
<p><em>21.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy.</em></p>
<p><em>22.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p><em>23.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment soon to be upon us.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p><em>24.&nbsp; &nbsp;Honour your civic duty as voters by going to the polls tomorrow to vote for the government of your choice, for the government that will lead Nigeria toward its finest destiny.</em></p>
<p><em>25.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour. Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people.</em></p>
<p><em>May God bless our democracy and forever bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.</em></p>
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Fri, 22 Feb 2019 06:39:04 +0000siteadmin67342 at http://saharareporters.comPDP Chairman Defects To APC As 12 Presidential Candidates Withdraw for Buharihttp://saharareporters.com/2019/02/21/pdp-chairman-defects-apc-12-presidential-candidates-withdraw-buhari
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<p>Sani Inuwa Nguru, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe State, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).</p>
<p>He visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.</p>
<p>He came in the company of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muhammad Lawal Yahuza.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said 12 presidential candidates have withdrawn from the race to support President Muhammadu Buhari.</p>
<p>The candidates and parties who endorsed Buhari are Shittu Mohammed Kabiru, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA); Hon. Edozie, Nnamdi Madu, Independent Democrats; Danjuma Mohammed, Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy; Mamman Yusuf Naptali, Allied Peoples Movement, and Ahmed Buhari, Save Nigeria Party.</p>
<p>Others are Alhaji Isabi Dansaki, Mass Movement of Nigeria;, Ikechukwu Nwokeafor, Advanced Congress of Democrats; Alistar Shoyode, Yes Party; Charles Ughalli, Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party; Kenneth Ibe Kalu, United People’s Congress; Comrade Isiaka Paul Ebili, Nigeria Element Progressives Party, and Robinson Apu, National Democratic Liberty Party.</p>
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